Lorain man arrested for cruelty to animals

LORAIN -- The man, who left a Mastiff chained to a table to survive off of garbage, was arrested on a warrant for cruelty to animals on Thursday, according to a Lorain police report.

Dominic Michael Bellamy, 20, of Lorain, was arrested around 2 p.m. on Thursday at the police station. He was taken to Lorain City Jail. The report indicated that the homeowner abandoned a house on the 200 block of East 29th Street and her son, Bellamy, took over the property. Police believed that Bellamy knew of the 4-year-old brindle Mastiff, named Caesar, being on the property and failed to care for it properly, the report indicated. Police said "he left his dog to suffer inside these deplorable conditions and nearly starve to death."

Police learned of the dog after they broke up an underage party on Oct. 20. Police heard a dog barking from inside the garage on the property. "The dog appeared to be unable to move due to being wrapped up around the table with a cable rope," officer Craig Payne wrote in his report. "A very foul and putrid smell emitted from the garage due to a large amount of garbage that had been piled up. The dog was laying on top of the garbage that was infested with maggots and flies. The dog appeared to be very malnourished, emancipated and filthy. Numerous sores were noted on all legs."

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Garbage bags were ripped open as if dog was trying to find something to eat. There were piles of dog feces. There were no food or water bowls in sight. Caesar was taken to Lorain Animal Emergency Clinic for treatment. He was 94 pounds upon arrival, which is underweight for a dog of his size. Veterinarians estimated the dog has not had food or water for a month or longer. The dog had several sores in his mouth.

The dog is now recovering at the Lorain County Friendship Animal Protective League. He will be available for adoption within a few months. Workers have been trying to ease him back into a normal diet. Caesar has gained a few pounds since being rescued.

For further information on the Lorain County Friendship Animal Protection League, visit their location at 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, or visit www.friendshipapl.org.